Ligue 1 Roundup: Nancy and Bastia will play Ligue 2 football next year, while Monaco reached 95 points

Rennes-Monaco

All matches this weekend were played simultaneously, as Rennes hosted Monaco at the Roazhon Park. The away squad all died their hair to the colours of Monaco, due to their recent coronation as Ligue 1 Champions. They aligned a lot of rotations in their lineup, shifting from their usual 4-4- to a 4-3-3. They aligned Seydou Sy in goal, Andrea Raggi and Abdou Diallo in defence, while Kevin N’Doram played alongside regular starters Fabinho Tabares and Tiemoue Bakayoko. Lemar, Mbappe, and Valere Germain all started as the attacking trio. The home side started with a 4-3-1-2 formation, with Benoit Costil guarding the goal. Joris Gnagnon and Romain Danze led the defence, while Gelson Fernandes failed to control the midfield. Giovanni Sio did the duties up top.

The match began with many adjustments from the current Champions, for they had changed their whole game plan, starting lineup, formation, and positional play. Monaco, in absence of Sidibe and Mendy, attacked much more often down the middle. Fabinho opened the scoring just 3 minutes before the break, from a rebound following Germain’s shot. The first half ended with a 0-1 win for Monaco. The second half began with Jemerson doubling the lead just 4 minutes into the second half. Adama Diakhaby would score for the home side from the spot in the 69th minute, but 8 minutes later Monaco scored again. Diakhaby managed his double, late in the match; near the 93rd minute. The game concluded in a 2-3 victory for Monaco.
Monaco finished the season with an astonishing 95 points, while Rennes ended the season 9th, with 50 points.

Angers-Montpellier

The last match of the season at the Stade Raymond Kopa had Angers host Montpellier. The home side started with a 4-3-3, with Alexandre Letellier in goal and Vincent Manceau alongside Issa Cissokho as full-backs. Cheick Ndoye, as usual, had a commanding game, while Thomas Mangani had the most stellar outing in midfield. The Senegalese striker Famara Diedhiou played along with 2 wingers. Montpellier began the match with a 4-2-3-1, with Geoffrey Jourdren in goal. Daniel Congre and young Nordi Mukiele acted as full-backs, but most of their performance was defensive. This caused a lack of creating opportunities down the wings, leading to fewer scoring chances for the likes of Ryad Boudebouz and Isaac Mbenza.

The match began with a few harsh tackles by the away side, which resulted in a few yellow cards before the 30th-minute mark. The first half ended the way it started, 0-0. The second half was very level, with the opener coming late in the game. It was Jonathan Bamba who scored the opener in the 82nd minute, while Flavien Tait scored Angers’ second in the 88th minute. The match ended with a late 2-0 victory for the home side. Angers ended the season 12th with 46 points, while Montpellier finished 15th with 39 points. The away side ended the season with a 5 game losing streak.

Toulouse-Dijon

This game had Dijon visit the Stadium Municipal to play Toulouse, in front of nearly 20,000 people. The home side entered the match with an attacking 4-3-3, with Mauro Goicoechea as a goalkeeper. Christopher Jullien played as a CB. Oscar Trejo and Corentin Jean had the most notable performances, but nothing too special. Martin Braithwaite played a more central role, as he began as a striker. The away side began with a 4-4-2, with their two wide midfielders acting more like attacking midfielders, while the width was provided by the full-backs. Benjamin Leroy started in goal, while Jordan Loties captained the back four. Pierre Lees-Melou and Frederic Sammaritano played a pivotal role in chance creation, however, they failed to create many clear-cut chances for striker Lois Diony.

The match was pretty static, and the pace of the match seemed to slow down with every minute being played. A couple of yellow cards and a missed penalty kick by Martin Braithwaite were the only events to highlight in a 0-0 draw to conclude the season. Toulouse finished 13th with 44 points, while Dijon are 16th with 37 points.

Paris Saint Germain-Caen

The Parc des Princes hosted the last PSG game of the season, as Caen looked to save their season and stay in Ligue 1. The home side aligned with a 4-3-3, with Kevin Trapp and Serge Aurier having a lot of action, in goal and as a full-back respectively. Adrien Rabiot played as a central midfielder, with young Giovani Lo Celso playing alongside him. Up top were Edinson Cavani, Lucas Moura, and Angel di Maria. Caen, as seen numerous times this season, began with a back 5. Remy Vercoutre acted in goal, while Ismael Diomande and Syam Ben Youssef had a solid performance in defence. Jonathan Delaplace had the best performance for his team, while Sylvio Rodelin enjoyed the most chances at his feet.

The match began with a quick opener by Adrien Rabiot, after just 13 minutes played. Caen saw their chances of staying in Ligue 1 diminish, however they received a penalty in the 75th minute, that could have meant their momentaneous salvation. Sylvio Rodelin missed the penalty, and the bad news for Caen continued. The French striker went from villain to hero in a couple of minutes, as Rodelin saved his team from playing the relegation play-off in the last minute of play. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, and Caen will officially be in Ligue 1 next season. They finished the season 17th with 37 points, while PSG finished second with 87 points.

Lyon-Nice

The next match had two attractive teams battle at the Stade des Lumieres. Both teams had their objectives reached before starting the game, so very little was at stake, aside from the points of course. Nonetheless, both managers prepared for the match with very offensive styles of play. Lyon began the match with a 4-2-3-1, with Anthony Lopes in goal, and 20-year-old Mouctar Diakhaby in defence. Corentin Tolisso might have played his last match for his club, while Nabil Fekir acted as a ‘number 10.’ Alexandre Lacazette agreed to finalise his term at the club after playing for them since his professional debut back in 2010. Exactly 100 goals and 203 games after, Lacazette wore the Lyon jersey for the last time. Nice aligned an innovative 5-3-2, with Yoan Cardinale in goal, and Malang Sarr and full-back Arnaud Souquet getting the start as CB’s. Jean Seri and Vincent Koziello had quality performances in midfield, while Anastasios Donis had a marvellous game up front.

The match began with a quick opener by the home side, after Maxime Le Marchand scored an unfortunate own goal to beat his own keeper. Donis scored the easiest goal he will score in his career, after Anthony Lopes’s error lead to Koziello finding Donis without a keeper in goal, to equalize the score 1-1 after 15 minutes. Lacazette would put his team back in front, in the 48th minute, with a powerful finish after an outrageous first touch to beat his mark. Nice’s striker Donis would score his second after a low cross from the left flank. Club legend Alexandre Lacazette put his team back in front again, with a close-range chip to beat the goalkeeper. His second goal of the game, and last with the club, would come in the 78th minute, for the momentary 3-2. Jean Michael Seri would score the equalizer from the penalty spot, just seconds before the final whistle. The match ended with an extremely entertaining 3-3 draw.

Lyon finished the season in 4th place with 67 points, and will play the Europa League qualification playoff. Nice, on the other hand, will enjoy Champions League football if they can get past their playoff round. They finished third with a total 78 points in Ligue 1.

Guingamp-Metz

This match had two mid-table teams battle for 3 points at the Municipal du Roudourou, as Guingamp hosted Metz. The home team began with Karl Johnsson in goal, while Christophe Kerbrat and Mathieu Bodmer guarded the goal. Moustapha Diallo had a great game as a box-to-box midfielder, while Yannis Salibur performed on the wing. The away squad started with a 4-2-3-1, with Japanese GK Eiji Kawashima in goal, and Matthieu Udol as a left-back. Cheick Doukoure played as a central midfielder and Opa Nguette had a great game on the wing.

The match began with some chances for both sides. EA Guingamp were able to put away their chance first, with Mustapha Diallo scoring the only goal of the match in the 29nd minute. The home side would go on to win, situating them at 10th place with 50 points. Metz, on the other hand, finished the season 14th with 43 points.

Lille-Nantes

Lille are set to announce crazy philosophical manager Marcelo Bielsa this week, but beforehand, they hosted Nantes at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mike Maignan got his 6th start of the season, while Paraguayan Junior Alonso performed in defence alongside Sebastien Corchia. Rio Mavuba was subbed off in the 78th minute, while Nicolas de Preville had one of the best games of his career.

The match started with a quick opener by De Preville, with an assist from Marcos Lopes. The Frenchman scored the second and the third in the 46th and 53rd minute respectively. The left midfielder completed his hat-trick, to give his team the three points. Lille finished the season 11th with 46 points, while Nantes finished the season 7th with 51 points.

Lorient-Bordeaux

Lorient, one of the teams whose relegation fate would be decided in the last fixture, hosted Bordeaux. Lorient aligned with their normal and compact 4-4-2, with Benjamin Lecomte in goal, and Vincent Le Goff as a left-back. Jimmy Cabot played in midfield, and Romain Philippoteaux acted as a wide midfielder. Bordeaux began with Cedric Carrasso in goal and Diego Contento as a left-back. Younousse Sankhare had an amazing game next to Jeremy Toulalan. Diego Rolan acted as a striker.

The match began with a quick opener by Sankhare, just 7 minutes in. Bordeaux’s opener meant that Lorient were, at the time, in the relegation zone. Vincent Le Goff scored the goal that would tie things 1-1, and send Lorient to the relegation playoff spot.

Lorient finished the season 18th with 36 points, while Bordeaux finished 6th with 59 points.

Nancy-Saint-Etienne

Nancy, another of those teams fighting to remain in Ligue 1, faced Saint-Etienne at the Stade Marcel Picot. The home side began with a 4-3-3, with Guy Assembe in goal and Modou Diagne as a CB alongside Erick Cabaco. Faitout Maouassa and Alexis Busin performed on the wings, as Maurice Dale played in goal. A.S.S.E. played with the same 4-3-3, with Stephane Ruffier guarding the goal. Arnaud Nordin had his 5th start of the season, while Jordan Veretout failed to perform up to his standards. Romain Hamouma had the best game out of the attacking trio.

The game commenced with an opener by Alexis Busin with just 17 minutes in. The first half ended with a 1-0 lead that had Nancy playing the relegation playoff. Modou Diagne would double the home team’s lead, and Arnaud Nordin scored the 2-1 in the 74th minute. Faitout Maouassa scored the concluding 3-1, although their win was not enough to remain in the league. Both Lorient and Caen added points, therefore Nancy will play Ligue 2 football next season. Saint-Etienne finished 8th with 50 points.

Marseille-SC Bastia

The last match in Ligue 1 was Marseille against SC Bastia at the gorgeous Stade Orange Velodrome. Nearly 40,000 fans went to watch the last game of the season, as Yohann Pele started in goal. Rod Fanni and veteran Patrice Evra played pivotal roles in defence. Morgan Sanson and Maxi Lopez played in the middle, with Florian Thauvin occupying the right flank.

SC Bastia began with a 5-3-2, with Jean-Louis Leca in goal. Abdoulaye Keita and Pierre Bengtsson performed as wing-backs, while Allan Saint-Maximin and Enzo Crivelli had most of the away team’s attacking play in their boots.
The first half had a couple of chances for the home side, with Bastia carefully waiting to counterattack. The only goal of the game came through Bafetimbi Gomis in the 74th minute. The 1-0 win for Marseille meant Bastia would play in Ligue 2 next year. Marseille finished the season 5th, while Bastia finished the season in last place.

Final Scores

Rennes 2-3 Monaco
Angers 2-0 Montpellier
Toulouse 0-0 Dijon
PSG 1-1 Caen
Lyon 3-3 Nice
Guingamp 1-0 Metz
Lille 3-0 Nantes
Lorient 1-1 Bordeuax
Nancy 3-1 Saint Etienne
Marseille 1-0 SC Bastia